Emergency stand-by electric service apparatus



Agg.. 27, 1957 Filed Oct. 2'7. 1954 s sheds-sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Aug. 27, 1957 Filed oct. 27. 1.954

C. IPPOLITO EMERGENCY STAND-BY ELECTRIC SERVICE APPARATUS 3 Sheets-'Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Aug. 27, 1957 c. IPPOLITC:` 2,804,554

EMERGENCY STANDBYELECTR1C SERVICE APPARATUS Filed oct. 2v, 1954 s sheets-sheet z -rates "ate EMERGENCY STAND-nv ELECTRICl SERVICE APPARATUS Application October 27, 1954, Serial No. 464,928

20 Claims. (Cl. 307-64) This invention relates to emergency electrical systems, and more particularly to emergency lighting and` alarm systems.

Anobject of the invention is to provide a novel and improved emergency lighting and alarm system which may be readiiy installed in buildings and other structures as ani-adjunct tothe norm-al lightingV service to provide emergency facilities upon failure of said service.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved emergency or stand-by apparatus as above set forth, which is extremely reliable and foolproof in its operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved stand-by lighting and alarm apparatus in accordance Wit-h the above, which is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to fabricate and economical to maintain.

A Is'till further object of the invention is to provide an improved stand-by apparatus in accordance with the foregoing, which is trouble-free in operation and requires y litt-le or no servicing, or replacement of parts throughout an extended period of use.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved stand-by emergency lighting system which will set :off an alarm inthe event of failure ofthe power source thereof, and which will also providefan indica-tion of fuse failurev in the stand-by circuits.

.A feature fof the invention resides inthe provision of'a novel auxiliary power supply and control unit, which may be placed in a convenient location in the building, as determined bythe available space.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved auxiliary lighting or stand-by apparatus adapted to supplya multiplicity of stand-by-circuits, wherein `automatic energizatien of any one .or severalof said circuits iis provided for automaticallyin response to failure -of one or several ofthe regular service circuits.

Yet another Aand important object of the invention `is to provide a novel and improved stand-by apparatus for energizing rlighting and service, having more than ytwo 'separate single-.phase fused stand-by circuits with fuses in both legs `of each circuit and having only a .pair -of fuse failure indicator means, which is so organized and ar ranged that failure of any one fuse or any plurality of fuses-of the multiplicity provided, as due yto short circuits in the lines or other causes, will result in a reliable 'indication being given by at least one of the -indicator means.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

ln 'the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic circuit diagram of an .improved emergencyorstand-by lighting and alarm apparatus made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an'emergency or stand-by apparatus illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 Ais anemergency or stand-by :apparatus illustrating althirdembodim'ent ofthe invention.

-ReferringtoFig 1, the improved, emergency lighting and alarm apparatus of the invention comprises a power and control' unit designated generally by the numeral 10, comprising a cabinet 11 having a lower compartment 12 andv an upper compartment 13. In the lower compartment 12 a rechargeable storage battery 14. is disposed, said battery preferably being -of the nickel :cadmium type having 27 cells (with a voltage not less than 1.1- volts per cell), totaling approximately 32.4 output volts.

In the upper compartment 13 of the cabinet 11 an automatic battery charger 15 is provided, arranged to provide automatic high and low rate battery charging as required by the battery 14 to maintain the proper operating voltage and charge therein. The `automatic charger 15 is connected by a two-Wire cable ,16 to a suitable charge ing circuit, as for example the 115 volt current normally supplied by the regular service of the building in which the apparatus is installed. k

The battery 14 has supply leads 17 and 18 which are connectedV respectively by wires 19k and 20 to the charger 15.

From thek wires 17 and 18 leads 21 and 22 are taken, for connection tov a suitable fire alarm system such as is currently available on the market.

In 'accordance with the present invention, a battery failure alarm 23 is provided, -connected by wires 24 and 25, respectively, to the supply wires 17 and 1S of the battery 14. The battery failure alarm 23 may be of any suitable electroemechanica'lor electrical' type. Details of thebattery `failure'alarm 23l are not shown here since they are not involved per se in the'invention, and since dierent types of alarm-s may be lused in the present lapparatus, without ydeparting from the spirit of the invention.

For the purpose of automatically connecting the battery 14' to the emergency lighting circuit upon a failure of the. supply to the wires 2S and 29, acontrol unitV 25 is provided having a switch 26 connected to the supply wire 18.., The switch 26 is electromagnetically actuated by a magnet coil 27, being lmaintained in openscircuit position when the -coil 27 is energized, and viceversa. The magnet coivl27 is connected by leads 28 and 29-to the regular electrical: service of the building, as for example the 11S-*voltage 60 cycle alternating supply mains. An on-olswitc'h '30 is provided in vthe'lead 29, within Athe control Vunit 25,V `b y whichy the cont-rol unit may be linactivated when desired. Whenever the supply tothe wire 28 `and`29'fails, deenergizing the coi-l 27, the switch v26 Vwill 'be closed, rendering operative theI 4emergency supply system and circuits. 34, 35and3'6.

'For the purpose of providing an indica-tion of the con-v dition of thefswitch 276' a pilot 'light 3-1 "is provided, connected between thesuppl-y wire 17' and a wire 32. connected to the switch 26. The pilot :light 31 is also dis-'j posedin -the control/unit 25.

The wires 1=7 nod32 a-re brought Vfromthe control unit 25 to a novel fuseunit 33 which, in the embodiment of the invention shown -in Fig l, is connected with three` emergency lighting circuits 34, a' 'and '36. 'T he wire 1.7 connects Lto afuse iblock'i? having 1three fuses connected to one side =of the lighting circuits 34, 35 and 36 andthe lead wire 32 connects lto a fuse block 5% having threey fusesconnected to :the other sides `of 1the lightingcircuits 34, .35 and 316..

1-By .the present invention l provide `a novel, automatic indicator'rneans by whichvopen'circuit conditionof any of the fuses of fthe fuse :blocks 37 and 38Ywill be automati cally shown, either'at any time or, as in Fig. ll,`whentl1e standy-'by .equipment is inservice. This indicator vmeans comprises but a single ;pair1of .fuse-'failure .indicators -`in conjunction Vwith vthe multiple, separate, single-phase, fused standby :circuits L34, .35 and .36,50 organized .and arranged that failure. of any .one fuse Vor :any plurality ofL fuses of .the.;multip1icity provided, .due .to .short circuits in the lines or other causes, will result in a reliable indication being given by at least one of the failure indicators. The said fuse-failure indicators comprise lamps 4f) and 41 connected respectively to the supply wires 17 and 32. The lamp 40 is also connected to a contact plate 42 constituting part of a novel triple-blade switch having blades 43 which are normally open and are actuated to engage the bar 42 and close the switch whenever any of the fuses of the fuse block 32 blows out. The blades 43 of the triple blade switch are all connected to the supply wire 32. In a like manner the indicator lamp 41 is connected to a contact plate 44 constituting part of a normally open triple blade switch having blades 45 which are actuated to engage the plate 44 and close the switch whenever any of the fuses of the fuse block 32 blows out. By this organization, an automatic indication will be had of failure of any one of the multiplicity of fuses of the fuse blocks 37 and 38 using but two fuse-failure indicators or lamps, and by the selective operation of one or the other of the lamps 40, 41 there will be indicated which of the fuse blocks 37 or 38 has the fault.

With the apparatus of the present invention, as above described, it will be seen that a continuous source of energy is provided for actuation of a re alarm system, said source of energy being at all times under constant check for failure by the failure alarm 23, and being automatically actuated to energize the emergency lighting circuits 34, 35 and 36 whenever there is a failure of the regular supply service to which the wires 28 and 29 are connected. The apparatus is automatically maintained in operative condition at all times by virtue of the automatic battery charger 15, and heavy withdrawal of energy from the battery 14 will cause a high rate of charge to be effected by the charger. Any failure of the fuses of the lighting circuits 34, 35 and 36 will be indicated automatically by the signal lights 40 and 41, whereupon replacement of the defective fuse may be quickly made. Whenever the emergency system is automatically put into operation, such condition Will be indicated by the pilot light 31.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 2, wherein each of three emergency lighting circuits may be supplied with energy independently of the others, depending on a failure of one of three branches of the regular service lighting supply. Components similar to those already described above in connection with Fig. l have been given identical characters. A difference in the cricuit of Fig. 2 as compared with that of Fig. 1 resides in the omission from Fig. 2 of the master control unit 25 of Fig. 1 which is responsive to failure of the regular service or supply of the building. Instead, in Fig. 2 the supply wire 18 is connected directly to the supply wire 32 whereby the battery 14 is directly connected to the fuse unit 33. In Fig. 2 the emergency lighting circuits 34, 35 and 36 are connected respectively to individual control units 50, 51 and 52 disposed respectively in separate zones (indicated by broken rectangular outlines) 53, 54 and 55. The control units 50, 51 and 52 have normally open switches 26a connected to control the emergency lighting circuit, and have normally energized magnet coils 27a which when deenergized enable the switches 26a to be automatically closed. The magnet coils 27a are connected to the respective branches of the regular electrical service located in the three zones 53, 54 and 55. Thus failure of the regular service in any one of said zones will result in automatic energization of the auxiliary or emergency lighting circuit in said zone. The fuse-failure indicators 40 and 41 will be operative regardless of whether or not the controls 50, 51 and 52 are operative.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 3, wherein the emergency lighting apparatus is adapted for use with a three-phase power circuit, to become operative in response to failure to any one of the phases of the regular supply. The apparatus of Fig. 3 is similar in many respects to that of Fig. l, and components which are identical have been given like characters. The main difference between the circuits of Figs. l and 3 resides in the construction of the automatic control which is responsive to the condition of the regular power circuits. The control 25 of Fig. 1 is replaced in Fig. 3 by a control 60 having a normally open main switch 26h which is allowed to be automatically closed when a normally energized magnet coil 27h becomes deenergized. The magnet coil 27b is connected by a wire 61 to the neutral line 62 of the threephase supply. Also connected to the neutral line 62 are magnet coils 63, 64 and 65 of three normallyclosed relay switches 66, 67 and 68. The other ends of the magnet coils 63, 64 and 65 are connected respectively to the three phase supply line 69, '70 and 71 of the regular power supply. The relay switches 66, 67 and 68 are all connected in series and connected by wires 72 and 73, respectively, to the coil 27b and to the power line 69 of the three-phase supply.

By the above construction, whenever a power failure exists in any one of the phases of the three-phase supply S it will result in opening of one of the switches 66, 67 and 68 and deenergization of the magnet coil 27b. This will automatically cause the switch 26b to be closed, resulting in energization of the auxiliary lighting circuits. The fuse failure alarm operates the same as described for Fig. l.

It will be seen that with the above constructions I have provided a novel and improved, auxiliary or stand-by electrical apparatus which is relatively simple, foolproof in its Construction, economical to fabricate, and which requires but little servicing over an extended period of use. The apparatus may be readily installed as an adjunct to existing regular service equipment, and will respond reliably to power failures in either single phase or multiple phase systems. Where the regular service is divided into a plurality of zones, each susceptible of power failure independently of the others, the present apparatus is readily adaptable to supply only that zone with auxiliary lighting in which the power failure occurs. The apparatus additionally supplies energy for a fire alarm system, and has indicator means by which failure of the auxiliary power supply, or failure of fuses in the apparatus, is readily indicated.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. An emergency lighting apparatus for use in place of a regular lighting system and power supply in the event of failure of the latter, comprising a stand-by source of electrical power independent of the regular source of power; a stand-by lighting circuit separate from the regular lighting circuit; means adapted to be connected to the regular source of power, for automatically connecting said stand-by source of power to the standby lighting circuit upon failure of said regular source of power; fuse meansr in circuit with said stand-by source of power; and means connected to said fuse means, for automatically indicating failure of the latter during the time that the stand-by lighting circuit is being energized by the stand-by power source.

2. The invention as dened in claim l in which the means for indicating fuse failure includes an electrical switch and means responsive to failure of a fuse for actuating said switch.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2 in which the fuse failure means includes an electrical signal connected with said switch and with said stand-by source of power to be energized by the latter.

4. The invention as defined in claim l in which the means adapted to be connected to the regular source of power includes a three-phase circuit for said connection and a single phase circuit control connected to the standby lighting circuit and the stand-by source of power.

5. The invention as defined in claim 4 in which the means for automatically connecting said stand-by source of power includes a relay switch controlling the single phase circuit and three series connected relay switches controlling said first-named relay switch and connected in said three-phase circuit to close the first-named relay switch upon a power failure in any one of the three phases.

6. The invention as dened in claim l in which the indicating means comprises an electro-responsive device and a switch therefor, and means closing the switch in response to failure of the fuse means.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 in which the lighting circuit has two supply wires and in which the said fuse means is connected with both the supply wires, for protecting the stand-by power source against short circuits.

8. The invention as defined in claim l in which there is an alarm means providing an indication upon a failure of said stand-by source of power.

9. An emergency lighting apparatus for use in place of a regular lighting system and power supply in the event of failure of the latter, comprising a stand-by source of electrical power independent of the regular source of power; a plurality of stand-by lighting circuits separate from the regular lighting circuit; means adapted to be connected to the regular source of power for automatically connecting said stand-by source of power to the standby lighting circuits upon failure of said regular source of power; a plurality of fuse means in said stand-by light ing circuits; and means connected to said fuse means, for automatically indicating failure of the latter when the stand-by lighting circuits are being energized by the standby power source.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 in which each of the stand-by lighting circuits has two lines, and in which the fuse means is connected with all of said lines of the stand-by lighting circuits to protect the stand-by source of power from short circuit.

1l. The invention as defined in claim 10 in which there is a second means for automatically indicating fuse failure, and in which each of said fuse failure means is connected to all of the stand-by lighting circuits.

l2. An emergency lighting apparatus for use in place of a regular lighting system and power supply in the event of failure of the latter, comprising a stand-by source of electrical power independent of the regular source of power; a stand-by lighting circuit separate from the regular lighting circuit; means adapted to be connected to the regular source of power, for automatically connecting said stand-by source of power to the stand-by lighting circuit upon failure of said regular source of power; fuse means in circuit with said stand-by source of power; and means connected to said fuse means, for automatically indicating failure of the latter.

13. An emergency lighting apparatus for use in place yof a regular lighting system and power supply in the event of failure of the latter, comprising a stand-by source of electrical power independent of the regular source of power; a plurality of stand-by lighting circuits in excess of two, separate from the regular lighting circuit, each of said stand-by circuits having at least two wires; means adapted to be connected to the regular source of power for automatically connecting said stand-by source of power to the stand-by lighting circuits upon failure of said regular source of power; a plurality of fuse means in said stand-by lighting circuits each Wire of said standby circuits having a fuse means; and means including solely two indicators connected to said fuse means, for automatically indicating failure of one or more of the latter.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13 in which the fuse-failure indicating means includes a pair of multiple-blade switches actuated by the fuse means and respectively controlling the said indicators.

l5. The invention as dened in claim 13 in which the fuse-failure indicating means includes a pair of multiple-blade switches actuated by the fuse means and respectively controlling the said indicators, said switches being connected respectively to the two opposite sides of the stand-by lighting circuits.

l6. An emergency lighting apparatus for use in place of a regular lighting system and power supply in the event of failure of` the latter, comprising a stand-by source of electrical power independent of the regular source of power; a plurality of stand-by lighting circuits separate from the regular lighting circuit; means adapted to be connected to the regular source of power for automatically connecting said stand-by source of power to the stand-by lighting circuits upon failure of said regular source of power; a plurality of fuse means in said standby lighting circuits; and means connected to said fuse means, for automatically indicating failure of the latter.

17. An emergency lighting apparatus for use in place of a regular lighting system and power supply in the event of failure of the latter, comprising a stand-by source of electrical power independent of the regular source of power; a stand-by lighting circuit separate from the regular lighting circuit; means adapted to be connected to the regular source of power for automatically connecting said stand-by source of power to the stand-by lighting circuit upon failure of said regular source of power; fuse means in said stand-by lighting circuit; and means connected to said fuse means, for automatically indicating failure of the latter when the stand-by lighting circuit is being energized by the stand-by power source, said automatic indicating means comprising a lamp connected to the stand-by source of power and a switch connected to said lamp and actuated by said fuse means.

18. An emergency lighting apparatus for use in place of a regular lighting system and power supply in the event of failure of the latter comprising a stand-by source of electrical power independent of the regular source of power; a stand-by lighting circuit separate from the reg ular lighting circuit; and means adapted to be connected to a three-phase regular source of power for automatically connecting said stand-by source of power to said stand-by lighting circuit upon power failure in any one of said three phases.

l9. An emergency lighting apparatus for use in place of a regular lighting system and power supply in the event of failure of the latter, comprising a stand-by source of electrical power independent of the regular source of power; a plurality of stand-by lighting circuits separate from the regular lighting circuits; means adapted to be connected to said regular source of power, for automatically individually connecting said stand-by lighting circuits to said source of power upon failure respectively of energization of said regular lighting circuits; fuse means in circuit with said stand-by source of power; and means connected to said fuse means, for automatically indicating failure of the latter during the time that any one stand-by lighting circuit is being energized by the stand-by source of power.

20. The invention as defined in claim 19 in which the fuse means comprises a fuse assembly connected with one wire of each of the lighting circuits and another fuse assembly connected with the other wire of the lighting circuits and in which the automatic indicating means comprises a pair of indicators connected respectively to the fuse devices and operable upon failure of said devices.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,650,676 Williams Nov. 29, 1927 1,710,542 Landis Apr. 23, 1929 1,953,602 Hanley Apr. 3, 1934 

